Southern Cross release top claims for each age group
Southern Cross Health Society has released the top five surgical claims by paid total for men and women in each age
bracket.
In 2015 Southern Cross paid $842m in claims. While elective surgery made up only a small percentage of the total claims,
surgeries accounted for 73% of total costs.
Head of Provider Networks Geoff Searle says the data highlighted the fact that Kiwis go under the knife throughout their
lives.
“Younger members tend to claim for speech and hearing procedures like tonsillectomies and adenoids. Men under 35 claimed
for things like hernia injuries and tooth extractions, while in the same age group females made claims that affect
fertility such as endometriosis surgery,ovarian cysts and the removal of abdominal lesions.
“There’s a tendency for people to think health insurance is something they’ll need in their later years, but this data
shows that Kiwis undergo procedures that affect quality of life, throughout their lives,” says Searle.
Top 5 procedures by paid total – 2015.
All agesMenWomenHip ReplacementHip ReplacementKnee ReplacementHysterectomyExcision Skin LesionKnee ReplacementColonoscopyColonoscopyCoronary AngioplastyCataract
0 – 20MenWomenTonsillectomyRemoval of TeethRemoval of TeethTonsillectomyBilateral Ear ProcedureEndometriosis SurgeryAdenoidectomyBilateral Ear ProcedureCircumcisionAdenoidectomy
21 – 35MenWomenRemoval of TeethEndometriosis SurgerySeptoplastyRemoval of TeethHerniaOvarian CystectomyColonoscopyFreeing of Abdominal AdhesionsExcision Skin LesionDislocation vs Arthroscopy
36 – 49MenWomenColonoscopyHysterectomyHerniaEndometriosis SurgeryExcision Skin LesionHysteroscopySpinal FusionColonoscopyHip ReplacementBreast Reconstruction
50 – 64MenWomenHip ReplacementHip ReplacementKnee ReplacementColonoscopyColonoscopyKnee ReplacementCoronary AngioplastyHysterectomyExcision Skin LesionExcision Skin Lesion
65 +MenWomenKnee ReplacementKnee ReplacementHip ReplacementCataractCataract extractionHip ReplacementExcision Skin LesionExcision Skin LesionCoronary AngioplastyColonoscopy
Southern Cross have released this information to help Kiwis become better informed about the realities of healthcare.
For example most people also wouldn’t be aware that these procedures can be quite costly to treat.
Endometriosis surgery can cost anywhere between $4,400 - $18,800, and a small procedure such as a tonsillectomy can cost
between $3,200 and $4,300. Larger procedures such as hip and knee replacements can cost between $19,600 - $29,100.
“No one is immune from developing a health condition – regardless of age,” says Searle.
“We want Kiwis to be informed when it comes to the procedures they’re likely to need. The last thing anyone would want
is to need treatment and be unable to access or afford it.”
ends